Archipelagic Defense of the Philippines Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -9 P5:25 First Regular Session SENATE S. No. 340 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR IV EJERCITO AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CREATION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE By virtue of its unique archipelagic geography, the Republic of the Philippines faces distinct and evolving maritime security challenges that necessitate a robust and dynamic defense posture. Historically focused on internal security, the nation's armed forces, in recent years, has undergone a fundamental strategic reorientation towards external territorial defense, formalized under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)'. This critical shift is a direct response to the escalating geostrategic situation in the West Philippine Sea, most notably the aggressive and expansionist actions exhibited by other states that directly threaten the nation's territorial integrity, sovereign rights, and economic interests?. 1 Torrecampo, R. C. (2024, April 3). A paradigm shift in the Philippines' defense strategy. The Diplomat. 2 Bicenio, B. M., Gonzales, et al (2025). Enhancing the Philippines' defense policy ecosystem: The role of Congress in national security. Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department.

As a maritime and archipelagic nation, further enhancing the capabilities of the Philippine Navy is a fundamental pillar of our national defense. With vast coastlines and numerous islands, a strong and modern naval force is not just an asset, but a necessity in ensuring the security of our sea lanes.? This policy shall be directly in pursuit of the doctrine established by Section 3, Article II of the 1987 Constitution that states: "Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory." Guided by this Constitutional mandate, and in furtherance of the ongoing AFP Modernization Program, we must authorize and provide the required resources to the Philippine Navy to establish forward operating bases at locations it has identified in its Strategic Basing Plan 2040. These forward operating bases, compared to main or naval operating bases, shall require a smaller budgetary footprint and will function as strategic outposts near the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise, enabling the Navy to immediately carry out its mandate in far flung areas of our territorial waters while offering potential for future expansion. In light of the escalating geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the institutionalization and funding for Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases are a fundamental national security imperative. This act seeks to provide the necessary legal and financial wherewithal that shall reinforce the Archipelagic Defense Concept, ensuring the nation's ability to defend its interests and contribute to regional security. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO 3 Archipelagic defense doctrine anchors Philippines' territorial sovereignty. (2025). Indo- Pacific Defense Forum.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE JUL -9 P5:25 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 1010 .--.. SENATE S. No. 340 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CREATION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Archipelagic Defense

of the Philippines Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State declares that the Armed Forces

4 of the Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State. The goal of the 5 AFP is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine Navy, as a branch of the AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy forces for the prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the Unified Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission. It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.

In order to effectively carry out the mandate of the Philippine Navy, the 2 establishment of forward operating bases in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy in its Strategic Basing Plan 2040 is hereby pursued by the State.

SECTION 3. Scope and Limitations. - The Act shall be limited in scope,

5 application, and effectivity to the sites identified by the Philippine Navy in its Strategic 6 Basing Plan 2040 as priority sites, as enumerated in Section 5 of this Act, for the 7 establishment of its bases and installations.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. Forward Operating Bases (FOB) - It shall refer to a small-scale naval and military facility or outpost where the Philippine Navy can carry out its basic functions and duties and which can serve as a potential site for future upgrade and expansion, for national security purposes. b. Strategic Basing Plan 2040 - It shall refer to the existing plan of the Philippine Navy to acquire and develop properties for the establishment of bases and installations in strategic sites throughout the country.

SECTION 5. Priority Sites. - The strategic locations identified by the Philippine

Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management as priority sites in its Strategic Basing Plan 2040 by reason of its strategic location shall serve as the sites of the FOBs. These sites include and shall be limited to the following: a. Busuanga, Palawan; b. Subic Bay, Zambales; c. Mavulis Island, Batanes; d. Lubang Isiand, Mindoro; e. Surigao, Surigao del Norte; f. Allen, Northern Samar; g. Polilio Island, Quezon h. Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela; i. Casiguran, Aurora; j. Sarangani_Davao Occidental; k. Balabac, Palawan; and I. Mapun, Tawi-Tawi

SECTION 6. Masterplan for the Establishment of Forward Operating Bases. -

2 To be able to attain the policy and objectives set forth in this Act, there shall be 3 established a Masterplan Governing the Establishment of Forward Operating Bases, hereinafter referred to as the Masterplan, which shall be confidential, and shall § contain the priority sites, the schedule, the proposed facilities therein, the estimated 6 cost of the same, among others. In particular, the Masterplan shall contain the following: a. Set a timeline for the acquisition of the properties in the priority sites, as defined in Section 5, the planning for the development of the same, and the development of the forward operating bases itself, provided that the timelines to be set shall not exceed three years; and b. Features of the proposed facilities to be acquired, developed, constructed or installed in the forward operating bases in the priority areas.

SECTION 7. Preparation of the Masterplan. - Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of National Defense and Budget and Management, the Masterplan shall be submitted by the Philippine Navy for the approval of the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 8. Funding. - An appropriation of One Billion Pesos

(P 1,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the initial budgetary requirements of this 20 Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of the Masterplan as provided for in this Act shall be included in the Annual General appropriation Act (GAA) of the Department of National Defense.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act

is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and

regulations, or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,